Methyl jasmonate treatment to increase grape and wine phenolic content in Tempranillo and Graciano varieties during two growing seasons

Resumen

Phenolic compounds include a heterogeneous group of secondary metabolites that play diverse biological functions. Moreover, these compounds play a key role in grape and wine organoleptic and health promoting properties. Therefore, these compounds have been the subject of recent studies aimed at increasing their concentration in both grape and wine. The exogenous application of elicitors, like methyl jasmonate, stands out among these practices. We aimed to contribute to this growing area of research by carrying out this practice with two different grape varieties, Tempranillo and Graciano, during two growing seasons, providing therefore relevant information of the effect of this practice on the grape and wine phenolic composition. Despite the huge influence of the growing season and grape variety, a significant influence of MeJ treatment was found in grape phenolic composition, especially in anthocyanins, flavonols, and stilbenes. Moreover, certain wine chromatic parameters were also significantly improved by MeJ treatment. In conclusion, MeJ foliar application led to obtain grapes with a higher concentration of phenolic compounds. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.